Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has made a surprise visit to Mossman to discuss her sacking of Member for Cook Billy Gordon. 

Mr Gordon is embroiled at the centre of public controversy surrounding his previously undisclosed criminal record and allegations of physical abuse from a former partner. 

The Premier met with Douglas Shire mayor Julia Leu at the Douglas Shire Council offices before addressing a public forum of about 50 local residents. 

While the gathered crowd was mainly supportive of her decision and applauded at many points, there was discontent at her refusal to answer whether or not she would accept the vote of Billy Gordon in Parliament, if he decided to remain as an independent. 

“I’m not going to deal with hypotheticals, we’re not in that position yet,” the Premier said. 

“Everybody knows that my preference is for a by-election.”

The Premier was unapologetic for asking Mr Gordon be expelled from the Labor Party, saying he had been dishonest with her. 

“You don’t lie to the Premier of the state,”  Ms Palaszczuk said.

“He’s let me down, he’s let the people of Cook down and now it’s time to draw a line in the sand.”

Ms Palaszczuk also refused to be drawn on what will happen now that Cook has become arguably the most important electorate in the state, with the outcome of a by-election here having the capacity to tip the balance of power back to the LNP.

She again said she would not ‘deal in hypotheticals’ when asked what Labor would dedicate to securing Cook or who they would field to run in the seat in the event of a by-election being called. 

Mayor Julia Leu however was optimistic about the potential benefits to Cook should a by-election be called. 

“It absolutely puts Cook in the spotlight and gives us a good position,” Cr Leu said. 

“Although we might be going back to the polls so soon, I’ll certainly be taking the opportunity to put forward to the government now what projects we’re looking at in terms of infrastructure development, such as the new water reservoir and the Port Douglas waterfront project.

“We will have a key list of points that we will want to have seen.”

Community opinion on Mr Gordon’s character was divided, with some arguing that he deserved a second chance after a troubled youth and others saying the combination of his failure to disclose, the AVO taken out by his mother and allegations of domestic violence by his former partner combined to make him unfit for office. 

Local ALP member Bill Allison said that Mr Gordon had been elected by the people of Cook and deserved to be able to vote in Parliament.

“Hey may not have been completely upfront with us but that applies to a lot of people in Parliament,” Mr Allison said. 

“There’s no law that says he has to go unless he is senteced to more than 12 months in jail,. 

“I actually spoke to him last night about the AVO, his mother withdrew it and there was no actual violence, he said ‘why should I declare this?’.”

Another local, Natalie Johnson, said that any indication of domestic violence could not be excused. 

“Billy Gordon should definitely resign - there are many forms of domestic violence, sometimes the threat of physical violence can be just as bad and it’s important that men understand this,” she said. 

“One in three women have suffered domestic violence, which needs to change.

“He needs to realise that even though he has the legal right to cast votes he doesn’t have the support of the community any more.”